The Fisherman by Kurt Brown

Life is filled with pleasures and uncertainties. We have ups and downs, and enjoy the better days because we have survived the worst. The “Fisherman" by Kurt Brown, tells a tale of a man fishing every day in hopes of catching something beyond him. This poem represents our lives and is a direct metaphor of the duality of success and failure. Our lives can relate to this poem because there comes a time in our lives, when we realize the world has so much to offer us. In order to see and feel the many wonders in life, risk needs to be put forth. Life does do not come to us, like the fisherman; who continues to cast his line into the deep, dark, and thundering waters, perseverance is required. Someday the catch will be rewarding and others will leave empty handed. However, it was enjoyable to go out and risk catching something glorious.
Fishing is sport that involves any body of water. Theses body of waters are always bigger than our self’s. "Maybe it's the shadow of other fish, greater than his, the shadow of other men's souls passing over him," (Brown 6,7) after analyzing this line, I concluded Brown was referencing life and how it continues without us. There is always a Goliath in life that towers over us all. However, we should not let it pass without attempting to grasp the monstrosity that is life. Not all catches are easy; sharks, marlin and other big game fish will all struggle to pull you down with them into the depths of the deep, dark Ocean. Once you hook the fish, a fight is ensured that will test the limits of your heart. Whether it is with bigger fish or bigger men, strength is required to overcome them. I believe this is one message brown intended to convey in his poem.
In a way, Brown tells an aspiring tale of the fisherman's success and failures. "Each day he grabs his gear and makes his way to the ocean," (Brown 8,9) determined to catch the best in the salty waters, yet satisfied knowing if he goes home empty handed, the best of him was